Volunteers are invited to join South West Rocks Community Dune Care's next working bee on Sunday 22nd September at Gap Beach South in Hat Head National Park between 9am and 1pm (weather permitting*).
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This secluded beach and littoral rainforest has been restored to its natural beauty over more than twenty-five years by the volunteer environmental group.
"It's a lovely shady place to work," said SWR Community Dune Care president Ian Burnett.
"Long-term locals have seen an amazing transformation over the years. We've mainly eradicated bitou bush, and the native plants are thriving. But we need to check each year for any pockets of weeds we've missed and any new weed seedlings."
Last month's working bee at South Smoky Beach attracted 40 volunteers to uproot bitou bush seedlings along nearly five hectares of dunes. With pods of dolphins surfing in glorious winter sunshine, it was a lovely day out. During August SWR Community Dune Care hosted 17 visiting volunteers working at various locations around South West Rocks.
"It was a very successful month, with volunteers clocking up 508 hours weeding public bushland." said Ian Burnett. "Many of the visitors enjoy coming back year after year, and they really appreciate the progress of our weed control and restoration of native bush."
On Sunday, September 22, the dune carers plan to concentrate on lantana, cotton bush and the purple flowering billy goat weed.
"If you feel like a bit of a workout, then big lantana bushes are the ones to go for," said Ian. "But if you're feeling less energetic, small seedlings and billy goat weed are perfect."
SWR Community Dune Care like to encourage first-timers, visitors and locals who may want to try their hand at bush care.
"Even an hour or two of your time contributes a lot," said Ian.
"You don't need any knowledge of native plants or weeds - just enthusiasm - as training is provided."
And the morning teas are a highlight.
"Some of our volunteers are amazing cooks and they whip up fabulous cakes, biscuits, muffins and rumballs. Others contribute bought treats - no-one is precious and it's all appreciated," said Ian.
"The abundance of food means we need to get stuck into the weeds before and after to burn off some calories."
Plus there's a lavish barbecue and salad lunch provided after the working bee.
The award-winning volunteer group is supported by cash grants from the NSW Environmental Trust, and in-kind donations from NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and Kempsey Shire Council.
South West Rocks Community Dune Care covers more than 15 kilometres of coast from the mouth of the Macleay River round to Smoky Beach, south of Smoky Cape lighthouse, working on public land controlled by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Kempsey Shire Council and NSW Lands Department.
Using a combination of local volunteers, visiting bush regeneration volunteers and professional contractors, SWRCDC is well down the road to achieving their aim - which many people thought impossible - of ridding this part of the coast of Bitou Bush.
You can help by joining in on Sunday, September 22.
Volunteers are asked to meet at the South Gap car park at 8.45am. The track is 4WD access only so anyone who needs a lift in can meet either at the end of the bitumen on Gap Beach Road at 8.30am; or (if it's dry) at the top car park on the Gap Beach South track.
Volunteers need to wear enclosed shoes or boots (not sandals), long pants, long sleeves, sunscreen, insect repellent, a hat and take water. Gloves, tools and training will be provided.
*In case of bad weather the venue may change. Keep an eye on Facebook and any signs on Gap Beach road.
For more information please see Facebook SWRcommunitydunecare. Or contact Caroline on 0407 703 609, or email Ian on alandian8@bigpond.com.
